University students struggle to get to school due to military’s blockades in northern Arakan

By DMG 17 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 November 2022, Sittwe

As the military has blockaded both land and water routes in northern Arakan State, university students are reportedly having difficulty getting to the state capital Sittwe to attend class.

Sittwe University has opened day classes since November 10, but university students from Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U and Ponnagyun townships are finding it difficult to attend.

A female student from Minkan Village, Ponnagyun Township, told DMG that the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road has been blocked to traffic since November 10, making it difficult for students to go to school.

“We have yet to come to Sittwe to attend the classes as the military has blockaded the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road and junta soldiers have been deployed in some villages near our village,” she explained. “If I go to Sittwe by waterway, Myanmar Navy vessels are deployed along the river. So I will go to Sittwe when the road reopens. I have informed the students’ union about our difficulties.”

A first-year female student from Kyaungtaung Village in Mrauk-U Township told DMG that she is currently trapped in Kyauktaw due to the military’s closure of the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road, adding that she dares not return home as the military fires mortar shells into villages like hers on a regular basis.

“I came to Sittwe from Mrauk-U to attend the university, but I have been stranded in Kyauktaw since a week ago as the military has closed the Sittwe-Ponnagyun road,” she said. “I dare not return home due to security reasons. Many residents were injured after heavy weapons fell in our village recently. It is not convenient for me to go to Sittwe for the time being. I have run out of money.”

The military has blocked off the main road linking Ponnagyun Township with the Arakan State capital following fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) at a location between Done Pike and Cheinkhali villages in Rathedaung Township, as well as near Mt. Wai Lar in Maungdaw Township, on August 13.

A female university student from Hsin Ai Village, Pauktaw Township, told DMG that she has difficulty attending Sittwe University as ferryboats suspended operations following the sounds of heavy weapons near the village.

“Ferryboats in the village halted operations due to artillery shelling near the village, so I have difficulty going to Sittwe [to attend the university]. I have yet to register at Sittwe University because I dare not go to Sittwe due to the firing of heavy weapons,” she said.

The Arakan Students’ Union (Sittwe University) announced that the acceptance date for students who will attend Sittwe University was previously set to November 18, but has now been extended to November 30.

The student union also urged students struggling to get to campus to come only when the roads are less restricted.

“The professors will also make it convenient for students who cannot go to school due to travel difficulties to attend practical and tutorials. If the travel time is convenient for them, they can contact the students’ union,” Ko Kyaw Soe Moe, general secretary of the Arakan Students’ Union, told DMG.

The military’s blockading of both land and water routes in northern Arakan State has been accompanied by strict checks on travellers and locals amid renewed hostilities with the Arakan Army since August.